Anonymous
Post 02/13/2012 08:22     Subject: Going home hungry after birthday parties
Anonymous wrote:This thread has been amusing. Just me, but I fall into the "feed your guests" camp. Now, that doesn't mean a full-blown meal, but definitely what adults would call "heavy hor d'oevres". It's a party! And if your kid is like my 3yo (a bottomless pit), even if he's had a snack before going he'll be hungry. For his 3yo party (held 2pm until 5pm or so) which had a small mix of adults and kids, we did chips and dip, cheese and crackers, chicken nuggets, subs cut into small slices, mixed fruit bowl, veggies and dip, one other item I can't remember, and cake. Some kids (and parents) ate a lot, some not so much. All of this was from Giant, so it didn't break the bank.


I'm in your camp. I am not expecting a four course meal. it really does not take much effort to put out some chicken nuggets and mini sandwiches.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2012 22:59     Subject: Going home hungry after birthday parties
This thread has been amusing. Just me, but I fall into the "feed your guests" camp. Now, that doesn't mean a full-blown meal, but definitely what adults would call "heavy hor d'oevres". It's a party! And if your kid is like my 3yo (a bottomless pit), even if he's had a snack before going he'll be hungry. For his 3yo party (held 2pm until 5pm or so) which had a small mix of adults and kids, we did chips and dip, cheese and crackers, chicken nuggets, subs cut into small slices, mixed fruit bowl, veggies and dip, one other item I can't remember, and cake. Some kids (and parents) ate a lot, some not so much. All of this was from Giant, so it didn't break the bank.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2012 22:33     Subject: Going home hungry after birthday parties
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:22:03, I would be fine with what you're offering at that hour.


do you have a 3yo?

i think many parents on this forum have children who are different ages. my child and most all other kids we know eat dinner around 5-5:30. bedtime routine starts at 7. if the party ends at 6, we'd be home around 6:30 and need to start dinner then. that is way late for a 3yo.

before i had kids, i would never eat dinner before 7. as far as i can remember, i ate dinner with my parents around 7. it is different with young children. they often have different schedules.


Yes, I do actually, and I bring DC's snack (banana / bread) in case DC doesn't eat what's there or something that can eat before or midway to carry DC through to dinner (usually 7) without major meltdown.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2012 22:26     Subject: Re:Going home hungry after birthday parties
22:03, when my oldest was 3 and his sister was 18m, they were usually in bed by 7:30, and would eat dinner at 5:30. This was their schedule, I just followed their cues. My older one was a bear if he was tired, and my younger one was a bear if her meal was 5m late. If I were taking them to a party 4-6, I would probably be expecting dinner type food, at least for them. Also, if my kids got cake at 5pm with no dinner first, I wouldn't be thrilled about that. By the time we left at 6 and got them home, we would have to try to get dinner into them before getting them in bed, and it would be ugly. I think with older kids, you have much more flexibility, but with toddlers/preschoolers, many go to bed early. In fact, if I thought there was a possibility the party would run long, I would probably bring their PJs, because they may fall asleep in the car on the way home. Just my perspective.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2012 22:26     Subject: Re:Going home hungry after birthday parties
Anonymous wrote:OK, DCUMers.

I'm planning a 3 YO birthday party at my house from 4-6pm. We're on a budget so we tried to limit the number of kids and parents; however, because we invited whole families, we'll end up with around 8 3 year olds and various younger siblings and all the parents. I was planning on serving cake, snacks (cheese, crackers, vegetables, chips), and drinks. Are you all saying you'd expect a full dinner? We don't usually eat until after 7 so I never thought people would want a lot of food at this time (we couldn't do 2-4 because of nap schedules). We rarely eat pizza because our kids won't eat it, and I can't eat it. DC won't eat sandwiches except peanut butter, and I don't know enough about the health issues of the invitees to serve PB at a party anyway. In addition to not wanting to cater an entire meal, I'm afraid if we serve a real meal, there won't be time for the kids to play.

Thoughts?


I'd do something resembling real food, since 5-6 is dinnertime for a lot of kids. No need to cater. How about quesadillas? Those are fairly simple. Chicken nuggets are also easy. Pasta salad is also simple (I make with feta cheese and Italian dressing plus cucumbers and tomatoes. Occasionally bulk it up with provolone cheese, ham, and salami. You can also make it with pasta and tortellini). You could also do mac and cheese. If you do a couple of "real food" options plus crackers and cheese and fruit and veggies that should be fine.

Wings are also simple. I make them in the oven. Soy sauce, water, and sugar, pour over wings in a baking dish. Bake for 2 hours or more (you want them tender and nearly falling off the bone). If you want the exact ratios I can post those. They're messy to eat, but very good.

If you aren't serving dinner I would specify that somehow so they know not to expect it.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2012 22:20     Subject: Going home hungry after birthday parties
Anonymous wrote:22:03, I would be fine with what you're offering at that hour.


do you have a 3yo?

i think many parents on this forum have children who are different ages. my child and most all other kids we know eat dinner around 5-5:30. bedtime routine starts at 7. if the party ends at 6, we'd be home around 6:30 and need to start dinner then. that is way late for a 3yo.

before i had kids, i would never eat dinner before 7. as far as i can remember, i ate dinner with my parents around 7. it is different with young children. they often have different schedules.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2012 22:20     Subject: Re:Going home hungry after birthday parties
Tray of sandwiches and a pasta salad or something. A party at that time means dinner.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2012 22:16     Subject: Going home hungry after birthday parties
22:03, I would be fine with what you're offering at that hour.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2012 22:07     Subject: Re:Going home hungry after birthday parties
Anonymous wrote:OK, DCUMers.

I'm planning a 3 YO birthday party at my house from 4-6pm. We're on a budget so we tried to limit the number of kids and parents; however, because we invited whole families, we'll end up with around 8 3 year olds and various younger siblings and all the parents. I was planning on serving cake, snacks (cheese, crackers, vegetables, chips), and drinks. Are you all saying you'd expect a full dinner? We don't usually eat until after 7 so I never thought people would want a lot of food at this time (we couldn't do 2-4 because of nap schedules). We rarely eat pizza because our kids won't eat it, and I can't eat it. DC won't eat sandwiches except peanut butter, and I don't know enough about the health issues of the invitees to serve PB at a party anyway. In addition to not wanting to cater an entire meal, I'm afraid if we serve a real meal, there won't be time for the kids to play.

Thoughts?


That is the exact time slot that people would all go home hungry. Please be a good host and serve some food. Even if you don't eat sandwiches, make some and put them out. Buy some chicken nuggets from costco. make or cater a tray of pasta. do one or all or something else but please do something.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2012 22:03     Subject: Re:Going home hungry after birthday parties
OK, DCUMers.

I'm planning a 3 YO birthday party at my house from 4-6pm. We're on a budget so we tried to limit the number of kids and parents; however, because we invited whole families, we'll end up with around 8 3 year olds and various younger siblings and all the parents. I was planning on serving cake, snacks (cheese, crackers, vegetables, chips), and drinks. Are you all saying you'd expect a full dinner? We don't usually eat until after 7 so I never thought people would want a lot of food at this time (we couldn't do 2-4 because of nap schedules). We rarely eat pizza because our kids won't eat it, and I can't eat it. DC won't eat sandwiches except peanut butter, and I don't know enough about the health issues of the invitees to serve PB at a party anyway. In addition to not wanting to cater an entire meal, I'm afraid if we serve a real meal, there won't be time for the kids to play.

Thoughts?
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2012 22:01     Subject: Going home hungry after birthday parties
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It seems like there are two groups: one who think parties are about the host and the other who thinks it's about the guests. I think good hosting is about the guests. I'm honestly stunned that anyone would defend having a party from 12:30 to 2:00 without serving lunch, let alone a party for little kids.


And a third camp who think *kids* parties are about *kids* having fun, which may or may not involve food, and this is the Dumbest Thread Ever.


Amen.


If you don't want to serve the parents, fine. If it is a kid party, you should feed the kids!


Right, because that's what my kids care about when they go to a party. Not seeing their friends, playing together, games, entertainment, cake, etc. All they talk about is the food they did/didn't have!

Get over it, people. Anyone complaining about not serving food at a kid party is not thinking about it from the kids' perspective.


My 3yo may not be able to voice to a poor host that he is hungry during lunchtime.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2012 21:55     Subject: Going home hungry after birthday parties
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It seems like there are two groups: one who think parties are about the host and the other who thinks it's about the guests. I think good hosting is about the guests. I'm honestly stunned that anyone would defend having a party from 12:30 to 2:00 without serving lunch, let alone a party for little kids.


And a third camp who think *kids* parties are about *kids* having fun, which may or may not involve food, and this is the Dumbest Thread Ever.


Amen.


If you don't want to serve the parents, fine. If it is a kid party, you should feed the kids!


Right, because that's what my kids care about when they go to a party. Not seeing their friends, playing together, games, entertainment, cake, etc. All they talk about is the food they did/didn't have!

Get over it, people. Anyone complaining about not serving food at a kid party is not thinking about it from the kids' perspective.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2012 21:25     Subject: Going home hungry after birthday parties
Anonymous wrote:I went to a very lovely birthday party recently for a 4 YO with lots of parents and kids and siblings invited over lunch time (10:30 - 12:30, I think it was). The venue didn't allow pizza, and the family ordered trays of food from a local ethnic restaurant with lots of choices for everyone of all tastes and allergies. They're not well-off, but they wanted to throw a nice party for their friends and kid's friends! So refreshing and such great hosts. I thought it was very classy and generous that they did this.


What kind of venue allows food, but not pizza?
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2012 21:16     Subject: Going home hungry after birthday parties
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It seems like there are two groups: one who think parties are about the host and the other who thinks it's about the guests. I think good hosting is about the guests. I'm honestly stunned that anyone would defend having a party from 12:30 to 2:00 without serving lunch, let alone a party for little kids.


And a third camp who think *kids* parties are about *kids* having fun, which may or may not involve food, and this is the Dumbest Thread Ever.


Amen.


If you don't want to serve the parents, fine. If it is a kid party, you should feed the kids!
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2012 21:03     Subject: Going home hungry after birthday parties
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It seems like there are two groups: one who think parties are about the host and the other who thinks it's about the guests. I think good hosting is about the guests. I'm honestly stunned that anyone would defend having a party from 12:30 to 2:00 without serving lunch, let alone a party for little kids.


And a third camp who think *kids* parties are about *kids* having fun, which may or may not involve food, and this is the Dumbest Thread Ever.


Amen.